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Vegetables: plants for shade

These plants grow with 4 hours of direct sun a day or less: under trees, beside buildings, or in north-facing beds.

23 plants

Vegetables

Arrowroot

  • Part sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 10–12

Arrowroot, scientifically known as Maranta arundinacea, is a perennial herb native to the tropical regions of the Americas, particularly…

Arugula

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 9–11

Arugula, also known as Eruca sativa, is a leafy green vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae family, which includes other popular plants…

Bay Leaf

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 8–10

The Bay Leaf plant, scientifically known as Laurus nobilis, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Mediterranean region. It…

Bok Choy

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 9–11

Bok Choy, also known as Pak Choi or Chinese white cabbage, is a leafy green vegetable belonging to the brassica family, which includes…

Chervil

  • Part shade
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 9–10

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is an annual herb belonging to the parsley family (Apiaceae) and is often used in culinary applications…

Coriander

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 9–11

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), commonly known as cilantro in its leaf form, is an annual herb belonging to the Apiaceae family, which…

Dandelion Greens

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 3–10

Dandelion greens, scientifically known as Taraxacum officinale, are the leafy, edible parts of the dandelion plant, which is often…

Galangal

  • Part sun
  • High water
  • Zones 10–12

Galangal, scientifically known as Zingiber galanga, is a perennial plant belonging to the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. This herbaceous…

Ginger

  • Part shade
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 9–12

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a widely cultivated flowering plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, which also includes turmeric…

Kale

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 7–10

Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) is a leafy green vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae family, which also includes cabbage…

Komatsuna

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 8–10

Komatsuna, also known as Japanese mustard spinach or tender green, is a leafy green vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae family, which…

Lambsquarters

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water

Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), also known as goosefoot, is a hardy annual plant belonging to the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. It is…

Lettuce

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a leafy vegetable belonging to the Asteraceae family, which also includes sunflowers and daisies. It is one of…

Lovage

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 3–8

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a perennial herb belonging to the Apiaceae family, which also includes carrots, celery, and parsley…

Malanga

  • Part sun
  • High water
  • Zones 10–11

Malanga, also known as taro or yautía, is a starchy root vegetable belonging to the family Araceae. It is native to tropical regions…

Mizuna

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 9–11

Mizuna (Brassica rapa var. japonica) is a leafy green vegetable that belongs to the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Originally from East…

Mustard Greens

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 9–11

Mustard greens are leafy green vegetables that belong to the Brassica family, which includes cabbage, kale, and broccoli. The scientific…

Sorrel

  • Part sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 3–9

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a perennial herb known for its distinctive tangy flavor and vibrant green leaves. Belonging to the buckwheat…

Spinach

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 8–10

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and southwestern Asia. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae…

Taro

  • Full sun
  • High water
  • Zones 9–11

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a tropical plant cultivated primarily for its edible corms and leaves. Belonging to the family Araceae, taro…

Tatsoi

  • Full sun
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 8–10

Tatsoi (Brassica rapa subsp. narinosa) is a leafy green vegetable belonging to the Brassica family, which also includes cabbage, kale, and…

Turmeric

  • Part shade
  • Moderate water
  • Zones 9–11

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a flowering plant belonging to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). It is native to Southeast Asia, particularly…

Watercress

  • Part sun
  • High water
  • Zones 5–9

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is a nutritious aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial herb belonging to the mustard family, Brassicaceae…